Changes

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some [[Christian fundamentalists|fundamentalist Christians]] that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character.

'''Christian Nation''' is a concept held among some [[Christian fundamentalists|fundamentalist Christians]] that the United States was founded as a "Christian Nation," then lost its way, and now should be restored to its original character.

==The founding fathers==

==The founding fathers==

The [[founding fathers]] were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.<ref name="Holmes">David L. Holmes. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214 The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.<ref name="Frazer"/> Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,<ref name="Holmes"/> while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.<ref name="Frazer">Dr. Greg Frazer. [http://masters.edu/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/ The Faith of the Founding Fathers]. ''The Master's University''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.<ref name="Holmes"/><ref name="Frazer"/> The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publically being a Christian was normal.<ref name="Frazer"/>

The [[founding fathers]] did not discuss or advocate for a "[[separation of church and state]]."<ref>Dinan, Stephen; Swoyer, Alex (January 2, 2020). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/2/founding-fathers-never-discussed-separation-betwee/ Founding fathers never discussed wall of separation between church and state]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 4, 2020.</ref> They were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.<ref name="Holmes">David L. Holmes. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214 The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.<ref name="Frazer"/> Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,<ref name="Holmes"/> while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.<ref name="Frazer">Dr. Greg Frazer. [http://masters.edu/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/ The Faith of the Founding Fathers]. ''The Master's University''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.<ref name="Holmes"/><ref name="Frazer"/> The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publicly being a Christian was normal.<ref name="Frazer"/>

The founding fathers considered to be "theistic rationalists" did believe God was active in earthly affairs and that religion was essentially important to society because it brought [[morality]].<ref name="Frazer"/> However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.<ref name="Frazer"/> They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.<ref name="Frazer"/>

The founding fathers considered to be "theistic rationalists" did believe God was active in earthly affairs and that religion was essentially important to society because it brought [[morality]].<ref name="Frazer"/> However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.<ref name="Frazer"/> They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.<ref name="Frazer"/>

Many Christians also believe that while not intended to be a Christian nation, "the ''principles'' upon which the United States was founded" were based on the [[Bible]], both the Old and New Testaments.<ref>[https://www.gotquestions.org/Founding-Fathers.html Were the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians?]. ''[[GotQuestions]]''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Christians also point out that the founding fathers did not intend a "[[separation of church and state]]" as liberals and secularists envision it.<ref name="Frazer"/>

Many Christians also believe that while not intended to be a Christian nation, "the ''principles'' upon which the United States was founded" were based on the [[Bible]], both the Old and New Testaments.<ref>[https://www.gotquestions.org/Founding-Fathers.html Were the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians?]. ''[[GotQuestions]]''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Christians also point out that the founding fathers did not intend a "[[separation of church and state]]" as liberals and secularists envision it.<ref name="Frazer"/>

==Christian Heritage==

Often, left-wingers dismiss even modest policies as promoting "Christian nationalism" or theocracy simply because they do not advance their secular worldview.<ref>Frank, Jonathan (August 18, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/for-christians-against-christian-nationalism-the-details-matter For Christians against Christian Nationalism, the details matter]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 18, 2019.</ref>

After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end.  It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

Many people, primarily liberals, claim that because [[slavery]] was legal in several states up to 1865, the notion that the U.S. was founded on biblical principles with a Christian heritage (different from being a Christian nation) is either hypocritical or false. However, these liberals overlook several key facts, and their claims are exaggerated. First, slavery was common throughout the entire world (and still exists; 45 million people in the world were slaves in 2016<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36416751 What does modern slavery look like?]. ''BBC''. May 31, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref>), existing in many different nations and cultures for millennia.<ref name="Medved">Medved, Michael (September 26, 2007). [https://townhall.com/columnists/michaelmedved/2007/09/26/six-inconvenient-truths-about-the-us-and-slavery-n876052 Six inconvenient truths about the U.S. and slavery]. ''Townhall''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Only 3% of all the slaves taken from Africa actually went to North America,<ref name="Medved"/> and liberals commonly overlook the [[Arab slave trade]], which enslaved tens-of-millions of African people.<ref>Moore, A. (June 2, 2014). [http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/06/02/10-facts-about-the-arab-enslavement-of-black-people-not-taught-in-schools/ 10 Facts About The Arab Enslavement Of Black People Not Taught In Schools]. ''Atlanta Black Star''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref><ref>Williams, Thomas D., PhD (August 2, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/02/islamic-state-muslims-ran-america-lucrative-african-slave-trade-continued/ Islamic State: If Muslims Ran America, ‘Lucrative African Slave Trade Would Have Continued’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref><ref>Hochschild, Adam (March 4, 2001). [http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/03/04/reviews/010304.04hochsct.html Human Cargo]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Additionally, the founding fathers mainly opposed slavery and put anti-slavery principles into the Constitution.<ref name="McCormack">McCormack, John (June 29, 2011). [http://www.weeklystandard.com/lincoln-said-it-best-the-founding-fathers-opposed-slavery/article/575904 Lincoln Said It Best: The Founding Fathers Opposed Slavery]. ''The Weekly Standard''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> They did not outright abolish it mainly due to pragmatic concerns, although the Northern states did.<ref>Anthony Iaccarino. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-and-Slavery-1269536 The Founding Fathers and Slavery]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> The U.S. soon took steps to limit slavery, such as banning it in the [[Northwest Territory]] in 1787 and banning the [[slave trade]] in 1807.<ref name="McCormack"/> Unlike most other countries around the world, the U.S. quickly abolished slavery, and although the evil of slavery cannot be denied, the slave trade did not equal genocide and it was a long term benefit for the Africans to leave Africa and enter the U.S.<ref name="Medved"/> Regarding racism in general, racism exists throughout the enire world, with most countries being much more racist than the U.S., a [[melting pot]], and modern liberals hold racist attitudes.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Liberal-Racism-Fixating-Subverts-American/dp/0742522016 Liberal Racism: How Fixating on Race Subverts the American Dream], by Jim Sleeper. (2002)</ref>

Many conservatives and Christians accept that the United States' has a Christian heritage but still reject the Christian nation claim.<ref>Leahy, Michael Patrick (March 31, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/03/31/the-christian-origins-of-americas-constitutional-republic/ The Christian Origins of America’s Constitutional Republic]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 31, 2018.</ref><ref>Lacey, Troy (November 25, 2014). [https://answersingenesis.org/culture/america/christian-foundations-of-america/ Christian Foundations of America]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved March 31, 2018.</ref>

 

Prior to (and during) the American Revolution, the involvement of preachers was well known (See [[Black Robed Regiment]]). After the revolution, the involvement of the clergy did not end.  It was common for election day sermons to occur.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1RgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; the Honourable the Council, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788. Being the Day of General Election], By David Parsons</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=72o0AQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq: Governour, the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780. Being the Day of the Commencement of the Constitution, and Inauguration of the New Government], by Samuel Cooper</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HKFgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon Preached Before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 26, 1779. Being the Anniversary for the Election of the Honorable Council.], by Samuel Stillman</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OlRgAAAAcAAJ A Sermon, Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams Esq. Lieutenant-Governour; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the Day of General Election.], By Chandler Robbins</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve5CAQAAMAAJ A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq., Governour: His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governour: the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election], by Jonathan French</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924102767807 A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq. L.L.D. governor, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut : convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 10th, 1792], by Timothy Stone</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924104014588 The duty of praying for all that are in authority, illustrated : a sermon preached before His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, and the honourable legislature of the state of Connecticut, at the general election, May 4, 1825], by Daniel Dow</ref><ref>[http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/8295429 A sermon, preached before His Honor Oliver Wolcott, Esq. L.L.D. lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, and the Honorable the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, on the day of the anniversary election, May 12th, 1796], by John Marsh</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkvuxNgnJM David Barton]</ref>

 

Many Christians also argue that the church should not avoid discussing political issues if they are relevant to Christianity.<ref>Duke, Selwyn (December 8, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/34270-separation-of-truth-and-state-why-the-church-must-be-in-politics Separation of Truth and State? Why the Church Must be in Politics]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 8, 2019.</ref>

== State Church ==

== State Church ==

Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations (not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion, yet some of these countries also recognize religious freedom.

Countries with an official religion are not necessarily theocratic or Christian Nations (not in way Fundamentalists describe a theocratic nation). It only means that the governments recognize the church as their religion, yet some of these countries also recognize religious freedom.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:Fundamentalism]]

[[Category:Fundamentalism]]

[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

[[Category:Religion and Politics]]